Reading The Director magazine (from the IOD) I was very interested in Nick Parker's article who is the Creative Director of The Writer, a business language consultancy.   "Jargon, corporate-speak, dull, long-winded formality". This is what he said about business writing.  His top ten tips are great. 1. Think like a Reader 2. Small words can [...]

Knowing as we do how well social media is taking off  I was surprised that only 23.27% of companies let their staff access social networking sites during office hours.  So a staggering 60.82% say No and 15.91% only at certain times, according to a mini poll by the CIPD.   True it is very important for [...]

I am catching up on my reading! People Management News is a real source of information and ideas.  Law firms work together to retain female talent, the top 10 legal practices are working collaboratively together.  Carole Wilson, head of diversity and corporate responsibility at Eversheds says it is all about retaining top talent.  Flexible working patterns [...]

I am catching up on my reading and on the Notepad page of People Management was a fabulous little piece about more than 3,500 workers at Robert Wiseman Dairies http://www.wiseman-dairies.co.uk/our-company/ receiving £100 each in recognition of their efforts in January in the face of the snow and bad weather.  I guess right now they may well be in [...]

I went to an IOD event yesterday at Cliveden.  I knew something about the House due to Nancy Astor.  With coffee in the Library and then breakfast in the French Dining Room with views to die for it making networking extra special. Well done to Berkshire IOD for organising. The history is immense and we had a  [...]

The perfect sales pitch is always hard when you are the product as you are often too close to the coal face to see the wood for the trees. You need a special person who knows the sales process, the marketplace and can help you understand you.  To find such a person who can give [...]

I do spend time talking to cab drivers in London as it tends to pass the time.  They are generally a very cheerful bunch.  I asked one yesterday about business as they can and do tell you straight.  It is better than expected for this time of the year and most importantly business folk are [...]

Natural qualities or talents or a person who possesses unusual innate ability in some field or activity.  With this in mind. We want talent, we want to find it, hire it and manage it.  Even today Pink Skills were seeking women who are talented to shout it out:  1. What talent do you naturally have [...]

There has been discussion around the important aspects of the way we do business. The Personal Touch, hasn't it always been thus.  Closing deals is improved if you can work "with" and "see" who is doing the job.  To know that the CEO/MD values you as a client. Strategic partnerships has taken on a new [...]

I went to a very interesting seminar on Tuesday organised by Bernie Mitchell of BoB club fame and the speaker was Ron Sloane.  It was all about Obama-ing your business.   Now I believe that Barack Obama is charismatic and inclusive and watching his inaugural speech in January he was sensational.   Ron explained the principles and the [...]